Days of the North American Post

"1973 Warning for Matsutake Picking"

Original Issue Date: October 26, 1973
Reissue Date: November 2, 2011

A sign was posted on a utility pole in
the Shelton area, so called “ Matsutake
Mountain,” prohibiting gatherers from
picking mushrooms.

The reason is because Japanese
American matsutake pickers have
crowded the narrow mountain roads to
park, making it difficult for trucks and
workers to get by on weekdays. There
have also been many people picking
huckleberries and blueberries trees and
branches, and bringing them home to
sell.

Many people of other ethnicities have
also recently started to hunt for different
mushrooms in the forests and bringing
them home to eat. When Japanese
mushroom hunters come across look-
alikes, many have a habit of smashing
and destroying the faulty matsutake,
out of disappointment and frustration.
Residents of the Shelton region have
started a movement in their area, hoping
to find support from the government to
keep mushroom pickers out.

- Please do not ignore signs that state
no trespassing or no entry.

- Please do not damage huckleberry
and blueberry branches.

- Please do not use rakes or any other
homemade tools that damage the I
forest.

- Remember to clean up your bento |
and leave the area looking like it was
before.

Let’s not let the few misbehaving
individuals ruin matsutake picking for all
of us. Please continue to respect the land
and practice good manners so we can
continue to enjoy the fall leisure activity.

[Editor’s Note]
According to some of this year's
matsutake pickers, the season has not
started yet. The North American Post has
extended the annual matsutake contest to
the end of this month.